Exit Code: Their Betrayal

"System, I want to go home." The system responds to Tabitha Samson immediately. "Understood, Tabitha. Exit procedures are now activated. You'll be able to leave this world in half a month." Weirdly enough, the system, which has always followed its own programming, pauses for a few seconds. It soon brings up a question, its tone slightly confused. "You have a husband who dotes on you and a son who always takes your side, Tabitha. Isn't this your home? These people are your family, you know." The moment Tabitha hears the word "family", her gaze slowly fixes on the TV before her. Chapter 1 A live broadcast from the airport appeared on the TV, showing Kieran Lowe, CEO of Lowe Group, arriving with his son, David Samson Lowe. The man walked forward briskly with the boy in his arms. Reporters jogged after him, crowding close with their microphones. "Mr. Lowe, we heard you wrapped up a meeting in Francovar yesterday and flew back overnight. Why the rush? Is something important going on?" Kieran, who was usually stern and unreadable in public, looked into the camera and smiled with rare gentleness. "It's my wife's birthday today. Of course, my son and I had to come back to celebrate with her. In my world, she's my absolute top priority." David lifted the gift bag he was holding and waved it excitedly. "Look, Mommy. Daddy and I got you presents! We'll be home soon!" The reporters tried to ask more, but Kieran said he was short on time and refused further questions. He slipped away, leaving only his retreating figure on camera. The reporters sighed, envy on their faces. "Mr. Lowe's devotion to his wife has never changed. Ten years later, he's still as deeply in love as he was on day one. What an incredible husband." "Even their son has picked it up perfectly. With a husband and son like that, Mrs. Lowe must be incredibly happy." Tabitha Samson turned off the TV and forced a bitter smile. Happy, huh? A month ago, she would've agreed without hesitation. Now, she could barely bring herself to say she was happy. No one knew, but she was actually an outworlder. Ten years ago, she had come to this world with a mission—to save Kieran, who had watched his parents die when he was a child. When Tabitha first met him, he was still a gloomy teen who shut himself off from the world. It took her three years to slowly guide him out of the shadows, until he grew into the man he was today—the CEO of Lowe Group. When Kieran finally took full control of the company, her mission should've been over. However, when the system asked if she wanted to leave, she hesitated. She couldn't stop thinking about how he would hold her tightly and beg her not to go. On top of that, she couldn't imagine what would happen if he lost her, too, after already losing his parents. So, she made her choice to stay in this world and marry him. At the wedding, Tabitha had once told Kieran solemnly that she would disappear from this world should he ever betray her. He had held her hand and promised there would never be such a day. His love for her, he said, was eternal. After they were married, just as he had vowed, his love remained intense and unwavering. For every anniversary, big or small, he would put aside all his work to stay with her. When he was out at social events and other women tried to get close, he would have them escorted away without a second thought. When she gave birth, complications nearly took her life. She was in the operating room for 24 hours. He knelt outside the doors for just as long, praying for her safety. When she was finally wheeled out, he ignored his legs, which had long gone numb, and stumbled to her bedside. Clasping her hand, he broke down in tears. "This is all my fault, Tab. I never should've asked for a child. We're not doing this again. I can't bear to let you risk your life like that." To show his determination, Kieran had a vasectomy that very day. When it came to naming their son, he selected David for the first name and Samson for the middle, declaring it a symbol of his love for Tabitha. Growing up under Kieran's example, David had become a little man in his own right when it came to caring for Tabitha. At such a young age, he would cut fruit into small pieces and feed it to her. If she accidentally cut her finger, he would blow gently on the wound in worry, then rush to find a bandage to patch it up. Outsiders often joked that in the Lowe household, it wasn't David who needed care—it was her. He would puff out his chest proudly at that. "Mommy, you're the person I love the most. Of course, I will take care of you." Kieran laughed, ruffling his son's hair with equal pride. "My wife doesn't have to do anything. All she needs is us—her husband and son." Tabitha once believed, with absolute certainty, that she would be happy forever. But vows scattered like dust in the wind. Long ago, time had washed it away. The father and son who had once loved her so deeply had now built another home outside, with a female assistant. Time after time, they went to their little family reunions behind her back. Her husband of seven years would hold Summer Dabney's waist and call her "baby" in a soft, intimate voice, while the son she had carried for nine months would curl up in Summer's arms and sweetly call her "Ms. Dabney". Even yesterday, they hadn't gone to Francovar for a meeting but to Cendraland to ski with Summer. The words spoken at the wedding had finally come true. The moment Tabitha learned the truth, she made her decision. She would leave this world and the family who had deceived her. She stared at the cake in front of her as it slowly melted and whispered, "They're no longer my family. I'm leaving them." As the words fell, two voices spoke simultaneously. "Who's leaving?" Chapter 2 Tabitha looked up and saw Kieran and David standing in the doorway. David hopped down from Kieran's arms and ran straight into hers. "Mommy, who did you say was leaving?" "A friend of mine," she answered softly. "Her marriage fell apart, and she's planning to leave her husband and son." David tilted his head and pressed a firm kiss to her cheek. "So sorry about your friend. Luckily, Daddy and I will always love you." Kieran hung up his coat and came over, wrapping them both in his arms. His voice was as gentle as ever. "David's right, Tab. We're a family. We'll always be together." Tabitha didn't answer. Her long lashes hid the bitterness in her eyes. Forever? Perhaps not. Seeing the cake on the table, David quickly pulled the gift bag from his hand. "Mommy, this is the present Daddy and I picked out for you!" Kieran took the gift box from the bag and opened it. Inside was an emerald necklace. "Tab, work in Francovar was hectic," he said somewhat apologetically, leaning in to put the necklace around her neck. "I know, David and I got back a little late. Don't be mad at us, okay?" The moment he leaned closer, Tabitha caught a strong scent of gardenia. She never wore perfume. Her stomach lurched violently, and she shoved them aside to rush into the bathroom before retching repeatedly. Kieran had always been overly attentive to her health. Even a slight cough would send him into a panic. The scenario then prompted him to call a doctor immediately. Tabitha pressed down on his hand, her eyes red from gagging. She stared at him without blinking. "I'm fine. I just thought about my friend's family, and their behavior disgusted me. Kieran, if you ever stop loving me, I'll—" "Impossible." Kieran cut her off before she could finish. He stepped forward and wrapped her tightly in his arms, as if he wanted to fuse her into himself, never to be separated again. "Tab, don't you know how I feel, still? In this lifetime, you're the only woman I'll ever love. I'll never let you leave me." David clenched his small fists, his expression serious. "Don't worry, Mommy. Dad and I would never do anything to hurt you. I'll keep an eye on Daddy for you. If he ever does something wrong to you, I'll tell you right away. I'm always on your side!" That made Kieran laugh. "Is that how you see me, you little brat?" David shot him a glare. "I love Mommy the most, so I'll do anything to protect her." … Listening to their playful bickering, Tabitha didn't smile. It felt like a knife was twisting in her chest, slicing her heart bit by bit. Kieran said he loved her, yet he clearly had a mistress. David said he would protect her, yet he helped his father cover up his lies. She couldn't tell anymore whether their words were true or just another deception. The next morning, Kieran, as always, made Tabitha breakfast. His eyes were full of indulgence as he set it before her. "Tab, how about we go to the ski resort after breakfast? We came home late yesterday. Let us make it up to you—we'll spend the whole day celebrating your birthday." David handed her a cup of freshly squeezed juice and wrapped his arms around her waist, pouting. "Come on, Mommy! Skiing is so much fun!" Tabitha had no real interest in skiing, but by the time breakfast was finished, Kieran and David had already packed all the gear and dragged her into the car. When they arrived at the resort, she finally understood why they had insisted on coming. The moment she stepped out of the car, she saw Summer standing at the entrance, scanning the area. After Kieran and David got out of the car, Summer's eyes lit up. She ran over, casually took the scarf from around her neck, and draped it around David's. Then, she handed an insulated bottle to Kieran, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him. Tabitha watched silently, taking in her fluid, practiced movements. David was usually protective of himself, despite his age—he rarely let anyone outside the Lowe family touch him. Kieran, on the other hand, never took a beverage from any woman but Tabitha ever since someone spiked his drink six years ago. He cleared his throat, his tone slightly awkward. "Tab? This is my assistant, Summer Dabney. She arranged the ski trip, and I thought having her with us would make things easier. That's why she's tagging along." David jumped in at the right moment. "Yeah, Mommy, we just need to have fun. Isn't that great?" Was it really about convenience, or was it so he could be with Summer every moment? Honestly, Tabitha no longer had the energy to figure out the truth behind their actions. It was only then that Summer seemed to notice Tabitha, timidly reaching out for a handshake. "Hello, Mrs. Lowe. I hope I'm not interrupting your family time." Observant as she was, Tabitha quickly noticed the emerald bracelet on Summer's wrist. "What's that you're wearing?" Summer lifted her pale wrist, her face lighting up with happiness. "Oh. It's a gift from my family." Chapter 3 Over the past ten years, Kieran had given Tabitha countless pieces of jewelry. She could tell at a glance that the bracelet and the necklace from yesterday were meant to be a matching set. Her lips curled into a sarcastic smile. "Your family really loves you, huh?" Kieran and David had split what should've been one complete set of jewelry into two halves—one for her, one for Summer. It was the same with their hearts, too. Summer smiled brightly. "Yeah. They always tell me they love me and spoil me as though I'm still a child." Perhaps worried Tabitha might notice something, Kieran and David fussed over her all the way. She cleared her throat slightly, and Kieran immediately took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders, pouring the hot water from the insulated bottle to her lips with careful attention. David, on the other hand, removed the scarf from his neck and, like a tiny adult, wrapped it around hers, reminding her to keep warm. However, Tabitha didn't want anything tainted by Summer's perfume. She said she wanted to rest at the hotel and walked off. Kieran and David exchanged a glance and, wordlessly, chose to accompany her back to the hotel. It wasn't until evening that Kieran's phone rang. Quickly, he silenced it and glanced at Tabitha on the bed. Seeing she was unresponsive, he quietly exhaled in relief. Summer's name kept flashing on the screen. Beside him, David tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Daddy, I want to see Ms. Dabney." Kieran quickly gestured for him to be quiet. They locked eyes and tacitly agreed to slip out of the room. The moment the door clicked shut, Tabitha opened her eyes, pulled on her clothes, and followed them. The father and son hurried down the hall and finally stopped at Summer's door. The moment the door opened, she threw herself into Kieran's arms, her voice trembling with hurt. "Kieran, you're finally here! I was so scared being alone in the hotel today. I don't expect you to stay by my side all the time as you do with Mrs. Lowe. All I ask is two hours of your day."' Her big, watery eyes looked up at him, and he immediately gave in. Seeing her tears softened his heart, and he pulled her into his arms to comfort her. "How will two hours be enough? David and I will stay with you through the whole evening." David chimed in. "Ms. Dabney, we came as soon as Mommy fell asleep. We really wanted to spend time with you, too." Summer looked touched, but then her expression fell, as if she recalled something sad. "I was really cold today, but you only had eyes for Mrs. Lowe. You even ignored the scarf and insulated bottle I prepared for you…" Worried she would be sad, David immediately stepped forward and grabbed her hand. "Don't be sad, Ms. Dabney. Daddy and I were wrong. Here, let me warm you up. My hands are way warmer than the scarf." Kieran teased her gently, nudging the tip of her nose. "You jealous little thing, getting upset over something so small. I know you didn't have enough fun skiing in Cendraland, so I picked this place just for you. Aren't you happy?" At that, Summer tilted her head and planted a peck on the corner of his mouth. "Thank you, Mr. Lowe." Kieran's gaze darkened instantly. He cupped her head, and their lips met in a deep, passionate kiss. David covered his eyes and ran into the room. "Okay, I'm out!" After a long moment, Kieran finally let go. Summer's face was flushed, and she slapped his chest lightly. "Hey, David was just here, you know." He grabbed her hand, pressed it to his lips, and left a soft kiss. "Come on. It's not like he hasn't seen it before." With that, he looped his arm around Summer's waist and closed the door behind them. Behind a nearby pillar, Tabitha was already in tears. Although she had long known about their betrayal, seeing it with her own eyes cut deeper than she imagined. Every word, every gesture felt like a blade, tearing her heart to pieces. The so-called birthday celebration was nothing more than a way to soothe Summer's dissatisfaction from the previous ski trip. Tabitha crouched down, pressing a hand to her chest. Kieran's and David's words from last night still echoed in her mind. "I'll never let you leave me…" Kieran had sworn. Too bad, she had made up her mind to leave them for good. Chapter 4 The next morning, when Tabitha woke up, Kieran and David were walking into the room with breakfast in their hands. Seeing her awake, Kieran naturally placed the tray within her reach, his eyes full of affection. "David and I wanted you to sleep in a little longer, so we got up early to pick up breakfast for you." David pumped his legs and climbed onto the bed, leaning against her shoulder. "We were only gone for a while, but I already missed you so much, Mommy." Tabitha could still feel the lingering chill from the figures beside her, and a trace of self-mockery rose in her eyes. They had clearly been away all night and had just gotten out of Summer's bed, yet they spun the story that they had gone out to buy breakfast. She hadn't realized how good their acting was until now. After breakfast, Kieran and David wasted no time and took her straight to the ski resort. Summer was already there, fully dressed in her ski gear, waiting at the entrance. However, Tabitha had no interest in skiing. Kieran glanced at her with concern, then cautiously asked, "Tab, what's wrong with you? Did David or I do something to upset you?" Tabitha shook her head. "No. It's just my friend. Her issue's been weighing on my mood." Only then did Kieran relax. He lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Don't worry, Tab. The same thing would never happen to our family. If you don't feel like skiing, then…" Before he could finish, Summer's hesitant voice cut in. "But Mr. Lowe…" Seeing the longing in Summer's eyes, Kieran hesitated, the words on his lips making a U-turn. "You should wait for us here. David, Ms. Dabney, and I will go ski a few rounds and be right back." David didn't say a word, but Tabitha noticed his hand had quietly made its way to the hem of Summer's coat. Maybe he wanted to have their precious family time a little too badly that he wasn't worried at all that Tabitha might notice. She nodded in silence. And so, Kieran instructed the hotel staff to take good care of her. He then took the gloves from his bag and carefully put them on her hands. "It's freezing here, Tab. I don't want you catching a cold. If you feel unwell, call me right away." David followed along seriously, checking the zipper on her coat. "I don't want you to catch a cold either, Mommy." Watching them focus all their attention on Tabitha, Summer couldn't help but feel bitter. "Mrs. Lowe, they really do love you so much, don't they?" At that, Tabitha looked up at her and caught a trace of jealousy in Summer's eyes that she hadn't managed to conceal in time. Tabitha simply smiled, a hint of implication in her words. "I'm sure your family feels the same toward you." After all, the fact that Kieran and David were playing house with Summer behind her back was proof enough that they had never truly considered her feelings. What they cared about most was being with Summer. As soon as that was said, a deep rumble rolled in from the distance. The ground beneath their feet shook. Tabitha was about to ask what was happening when she looked up and saw a vast stretch of blinding white crashing straight toward them. People scattered in all directions at once. Chaos erupted everywhere. Instinctively, she reached out and grabbed the hem of Kieran's coat. The very next second, she watched it slip from her grasp as he turned and ran toward Summer. David, who had been standing in front of her just moments ago, sprinted in the same direction. "Summie!" "Ms. Dabney!" A looming darkness descended, and heavy snow slammed down on Tabitha. In the final instant before she lost consciousness, she saw the man who had once said he loved her, and the boy who had sworn to protect her, holding another woman tightly in their arms. Chapter 5 When Tabitha came to again, a whole week had passed. Seeing her open her eyes, the nurse hurriedly called the doctor. "Mrs. Lowe, you're finally awake! Your husband and son practically scoured the entire city for doctors. To pray for your safety, Mr. Lowe even donated ten million dollars to a charity foundation, hoping that all the blessings would return to you. "I'm sure they'll be thrilled to hear that you're awake!" No sooner had the words left the nurse's lips than Kieran and David pushed the door open. They immediately hugged Tabitha tightly, fear and relief written all over their faces. "Tab, you're finally awake. Do you have any idea how worried I've been this past week?" David's eyes were red as he choked out, "Mommy, I was so scared I'd lose you forever." Both Kieran's and David's tears dropped on the back of her hand. Despite that, Tabitha was barely moved by their tears. All she felt was irony. When danger came, the one they instinctively protected was Summer, not her. It was impossible for her not to feel heartbroken. She had given Kieran her whole heart, loved him with everything she had, and raised David with her own hands from the very beginning. Yet Summer, who had only been around for a few short months, had managed to erase all of that effortlessly and take her place. Seeing Tabitha's reaction, Kieran and David felt a pang of unease. They each hurriedly explained, "Tab, it was so chaotic that day that I couldn't tell who was who. That's why I protected the wrong person." "Mommy, Daddy and I will never let you be in danger again. This was all our fault." Tabitha, still weak from just waking up, felt nothing but exhaustion. She had no energy to expose their clumsy lies. She just needed to wait one more week before she could leave this place and these two liars. In the following days, likely out of guilt, Kieran and David never left her side in the hospital. Naturally, Kieran's phone never stopped ringing, buzzing with calls day after day. Not once did he answer. One day, Kieran's phone vibrated with a new message. His eyes narrowed, and his expression shifted ever so slightly. A few seconds later, he turned to Tabitha with an apologetic look. "Something urgent just came up at work, Tab. I need to work it out." David pressed his head close to the screen, saw the message, and immediately said, "Mommy, I'll go with Daddy to the office." Tabitha took in their expressions carefully. What could require David to go to the company? It was obviously Summer. After receiving her nod of approval, they hurriedly left. Meanwhile, Tabitha got out of bed and followed them. Around the corner in the hospital hallway, she saw Summer crying incessantly as she threw herself into Kieran's arms. His expression darkened slightly. He pried her hands away and spoke with unmistakable warning. "What are you doing here at the hospital? I told you not to show up until Tab has fully recovered. Stay home, and do not show yourself in front of her!" At that, Summer only sobbed even harder. She buried herself against his chest, clutched his waist, and said pitifully, "I just miss you two so much. It's been ten days. We'd agreed that you'd spend at least two hours with me every day." David saw Summer crying and became so frantic that he jumped in to explain, "Ms. Dabney, Daddy and I miss you, too. But Mommy hasn't recovered yet, so we need to stay with her." He turned to Kieran. "Daddy, say something to make Ms. Dabney happy!" Feeling the dampness against his chest and hearing David's pleading, Kieran ultimately sighed and softened his demeanor. "Alright, easy. It pains me to see you cry. Tell you what—I'll spend the next two days with you, alright?" Her crying stopped immediately. "Really?" It wasn't until Summer received his definitive answer that she smiled through her tears. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes screaming affection. The light in Kieran's eyes went out, his Adam's apple bobbling. The next second, he cupped her head and pressed his lips fiercely against hers. They kissed with a clinging intensity, as if to pour out all the longing of the past ten days. David quickly covered his eyes and turned his head away, chuckling. "I can't watch this!" Tabitha returned to her ward like a puppet with its string pulled. Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes and soaked into the pillow. She bit down hard on her lower lip, refusing to let a single sound escape. Repeatedly, she told herself to wait just a little longer. Soon, she would be able to leave, and this would be the last time she ever cried for Kieran and David. Chapter 6 Perhaps it was the long period of neglect, but it ultimately sparked a sense of crisis in Summer. At last, she tore off her mask and revealed her true colors. The next morning, Tabitha woke to a barrage of provocative messages Summer had sent the night before. "I know you saw us. How did it feel, watching your husband kiss another woman while your son covered for him? You know, Kieran loves it when I cry. He said it gives him a sense of satisfaction, especially when we were in bed. "The more I cried, the harder he'd go. Even when I lost my voice from all the screaming, he still wouldn't stop. Once, he even said he wanted to stay by my side 24/7. I bet he's never done any of that to you, right? "I guess not, because even your precious son is a big fan of mine. He said he felt extremely at ease around me. One time, he thought I was asleep and secretly called me 'mommy.' Honestly, Mrs. Lowe, I think you failed miserably as a wife and a mother." Staring at the taunting texts, Tabitha suppressed the storm of emotions and took screenshots of every single one of Summer's texts. With only three days left before she could depart, she decided these messages would be her parting gift to Kieran and David. That morning, Tabitha asked to be discharged. The hospital informed Kieran immediately. Soon after, his call came through. He sounded unsurprisingly apologetic. "Tab, I can't leave the office right now. I'll send someone to take you home instead. David's with me, so don't worry about him and just rest well at home." She knew exactly what he meant—they were spending time with Summer—but she simply responded softly, "Okay." Three days before leaving this world, Tabitha returned home and instructed the household staff to gather all her belongings and discard them. One of the maids looked puzzled and asked, "Mrs. Lowe, are you replacing them with new ones?" Tabitha nodded. "Yeah." Little did they know, it wasn't just the belongings being replaced—even the lady of the house was, too. Two days before leaving this world, Tabitha opened the secret room only she, Kieran, and David could access. The walls were covered with dense clusters of photographs from the past decade—photos of the three of them together, and every annual family photo taken since David was born. Over the decade, the man in the photos had grown from young and awkward to mature. The family had grown from two to three. But now, one face would have to disappear. Tabitha took a pair of scissors and sat in that room from morning till night, cutting herself out of every photo, leaving only Kieran and David. She then pulled out the marriage certificate Kieran had carefully stored in the safe seven years ago. As she held it, she noticed the wedding vows tucked underneath it. "Tabitha, to me, you are my whole world. Because of you, my world is no longer black and white… I will love and protect you forever. I believe we will grow old together, loving each other through every lifetime." Tabitha read each word carefully, taking in the overflowing affection of a 22-year-old Kieran. By the time she reached the end, she smiled silently, her eyes slightly wet. Finally, she slid the vows back beneath the marriage certificate. Along with the pieces of her own cut-out photos, she stacked them in the center of the garden and set them on fire. She stood there, watching the photographs and the certificate turn into ashes. The day before leaving this world, Tabitha printed out all the photos and messages Summer had sent over the past few days. There were pictures of Kieran shirtless, holding Summer in his arms, her neck covered in hickeys. Others were of David leaning against Summer's lap with admiration while she read him bedtime stories. Some were the three of them, all wearing cartoon headbands, smiles wide as they posed at a theme park. … Tabitha had thought seeing those photos would hurt, but all she felt was a dead calm. She packed all the printed photos into a folder, slipped her wedding ring inside, and sealed them together. The day she left was their seventh wedding anniversary. That morning, Kieran and David, who hadn't returned for days, came home early. Kieran carried a heart-shaped cake in his hands. "Tab, I've been busy with work lately—I know, it's my fault. Today is our anniversary. I promise you, David and I won't go anywhere but stay by your side." David raised his little palm in oath. "Mommy, I swear I've been keeping an eye on Daddy every day. He's really busy at work." Tabitha looked at them, so certain in their words, and asked softly, "Aren't you two tired?" Weren't they tired, playing the roles of devoted husband and perfect son while juggling her and Summer? Chapter 7 Kieran and David answered in perfect unison, "Not at all!" David held Tabitha's hand, eyes sparkling like stars as he gazed at her. "I'd never feel tired, as long as it has something to do with you, Mommy." Kieran gently pinched her cheek. "No matter how busy or tiring work gets, all my fatigue vanishes the moment I see you, Tab. Besides, it's our anniversary—I always come back for you, no matter how much work I have." Tabitha smiled quietly, saying nothing. He set the cake down and headed into the kitchen, already making himself busy. He had given all the household staff the day off and planned to cook some of her favorite dishes himself to celebrate their anniversary. David wasn't about to be outdone. He brought a small stool over, started cutting fruit, and juicing it. After hours of bustling around, the dishes were finally ready and set on the table just past noon. Kieran lit a candle shaped like the number seven, took her hand in his, and gazed at her with overflowing love. "Tab, if you hadn't been by my side back then…" "Wow! Daddy and Mommy are so romantic!" David exclaimed, clapping his hands excitedly. Just then, a ringtone cut through the warm moment. Tabitha pulled her hand back and handed Kieran the phone, the screen flashing Summer's name. He smiled and said he wouldn't answer anyone's calls today. Still, she insisted. When he saw the name on the screen, he hesitated for a moment before grabbing it. "Tab, it's my assistant. I'm worried something urgent has come up at the company, so I'm going to take it," he said, then moved to the side and answered the call. When he returned, his face, without any surprise, carried that familiar apologetic look. "Sorry, Tab. Something came up. I need to handle it right away." David didn't know what was said on the other end, but seeing that it was Summer's call, he immediately jumped off his stool and ran to Kieran. "Mommy, I want to go, too! I can help watch Daddy, so he finishes work and comes home faster." Looking at the father and son before her, Tabitha simply nodded. "Go ahead." Kieran visibly relaxed, lifted David, and each pressed a kiss to her cheeks. "Good girl. Wait for us to come back, okay?" "Mommy, we'll see you in a little while!" With that, they hurried off, completely unaware of Tabitha's strange acceptance. They had no idea that this would be the last time they would see each other. She watched until Kieran's car disappeared from view, then tossed the already-burned-out candles and the cake into the trash. Returning to her bedroom, she picked up the prepared folder and stepped out the door. Chapter 8 Ten years ago, Tabitha first met Kieran at a private sanatorium on the outskirts of the city. Now, the sanatorium lay abandoned, its walls blanketed in creepy ivy. She walked along the paths she remembered, stopping and lingering, letting the memories of him wash over her like a tide. From the indifference he showed when they first met, to the way he gradually grew used to her presence, until that stormy night when he held her tightly in the pouring rain, refusing to let go… Tabitha's steps eventually paused under a massive banyan tree in the back garden. Ten years ago, it had been lush and sprawling. Now, it still thrived with life. Her fingers traced the faint, almost erased carving of two names on the trunk. She could almost relive seeing the obsessive, anxious, but affectionate look in the eyes of the young man Kieran had once been. He had said, "I'll only ever love you in this lifetime, Tabitha. I won't let you leave me. We'll be together forever." And then, carefully, he carved their names into the bark. In the end, his heart had been split in two—half given to Tabitha, half to Summer. That "forever" he swore would happen only lasted ten years. The 19-year-old Kieran could never have imagined that, ten years later, he would lose Tabitha forever. She dug a small pit in the soil with a stone, placed the folder carefully inside, and then covered it meticulously with earth. After that, she made one final call to him. Almost immediately, Kieran answered, his voice as gentle as ever. "Tab, what's wrong? Is everything okay?" Tabitha looked up at the banyan tree and asked, "Do you still remember the banyan tree at the sanatorium?" He chuckled softly. "Of course. That's where I confessed to you. Time really flies, huh? It's been ten years already." She smiled, too. "Good. I've prepared a little gift for you and David. I buried it under the tree, so don't forget to come get it." "David's practically bouncing as soon as he heard this. I'm looking forward to it, too. Once we finish work, we'll pick it up. Tonight, the three of us will look at it together at home." Tabitha didn't answer and just hung up the phone. There would be no more "three of us". She knew tonight, neither Kieran nor David would return home. From now on, the Lowe residence would no longer have her presence. A long-missed mechanical voice sounded in her ears. "Tabitha, the exit procedure is ready. Confirm departure?" "Confirm." The moment she replied, a blinding white light appeared before her, forming a corridor. A sudden gust of wind whipped through the area, shaking the banyan tree and scattering its leaves into the air. Without hesitation, she stepped forward. Farewell, Kieran and David.